(04-13-2022, 05:59 PM)BostonCard Wrote:(04-13-2022, 05:43 PM)Goose Wrote: Did the Moskva get too close to Odesa, did the Ukrainians use an aircraft, or did they have "help"?
Yes on the aircraft, but maybe not the way you think…
BC
To distract it? That may well have happened, but the purpose was to find it. Once the drone had the ship in sight, the Ukrainians knew exactly where to send the anti-ship missiles. The missiles still had to acquire, but it is much easier if you essentially know where the target is. Some cruise missiles have the ability to receive updates in flight, but if they had the position nailed at launch that probably was good enough. The Moskva is supposed to have had the ability to shoot down the drone. The Moskva at the very least should have expected the possibility of an attack and been prepared to shoot down the incoming missiles. I would like to be a fly on the wall hearing why that didn't happen explained to Putin. I hope for their sake the Captain, XO, and TAO went down with the ship.
Impressive use of a drone in an 18 knot wind. That can make it harder. I hope the Ukrainians were able to recover it successfully.